During COVID Pandemic, Carcinogen Found in Widely-Used Hand Sanitizers
Posted on 03/25/2021
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, benzene causes cancer. The World Health Organization’s cancer research has benzene in the highest risk category, on par with asbestos.
According to Valisure LLC, a New Haven, Connecticut-based online pharmacy that tests products for quality and consistency, discovered that some widely available hand sanitizers that American consumers used during COVID had high levels of the carcinogen benzene. Valisure analyzed 260 bottles from 168 brands and found 17% of the samples contained detectable levels of benzene. IARC notes that benzene exposure has been linked with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), multiple myeloma, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Hand sanitizers are considered drugs that are regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). That level “can be tolerated for a relatively short period of time,” the FDA said in June 2020. In addition to a risk of ingestion by children, some hand sanitizers have levels of benzene that potentially pose a significant danger to children, or any individual using such products as intended, on exposed skin.
TOP OFFENDERS
| Benzene Mean (parts per million +- %SD) | Brand Label and Description | Country of Origin | Type | Manufacturing Label |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16.1 ± 3% *17.7 **82 | artnaturals, hand sanitizer, SCENT FREE, NATURAL ELEMENTS + , CLEANSING FORMULA, 8 fl oz (236 ml) | China | Gel | DIST. BY artnaturals, Gardena, CA 90248, MADE IN CHINA |
| 15.2 ± 2% | artnaturals, hand sanitizer, SCENT FREE, NATURAL ELEMENTS + , CLEANSING FORMULA, 8 fl oz (236 ml | China | Gel | DIST. BY artnaturals, Gardena, CA 90248, MADE IN CHINA |
| 13.8 ± 2% *14.2 **40 | SS LAVENDER & HERBS, scented sanitizer, ALCOHOL ANTISEPTIC, 70%, 3.38 FL. OZ. (100 mL) | U.S. | Manual Pump Spray | Distributed by: Scentsational Soaps and Candles, Inc., Venice, FL 34292, Scentsational-Products.com |
| 11.4 ± 3% *11.7 | huangjisoo, HAND SANITIZER GEL TYPE HAND , CLEANSER, 62% ETHANOL, 91% ORGANIC, 500ml/16.9 FL.OZ | South Korea | Gel | Manufacturer & Distributor: Newfeel Co., Ltd., Incheon, Korea, Made in Korea |
| 6.2 ± 3% *7.4 | TrueWash, Instant Hand Sanitizer, Natural, 16 fl oz – (500 ml) | China | Gel | Manufacturer: Guangzhou Orchard Aromatherapy&Skin Care Co, Distributed By: Supply Chain Sources LLC |
| 4.6 ± 2% *5.4 | The Crème Shop, Moisturizing Hand Sanitizer, Peppermint Scented, Infused with Aloe Vera & Vitamin E d. | South Korea | Gel | Distributed by The Crème Shop, USA |
| 3.9 ± 0% *4.5 **4 | STARWARS, MANDALORIAN, HAND SANITZER (blue), 2.11 fl oz/60 mL | China | Gel | [disney logo and starwars.com] © Best Brands Consumer Products, Inc. c/o Best Brands Sales Company LLC, New York, NY 10001, RN #22195-Made in China0620B |
| 3.8 ± 2% | STARWARS. MANDALORIAN, HAND SANITZER (blue), 2.11 fl oz/60 mL | China | Gel | [disney logo and starwars.com], © Best Brands Consumer Products, Inc. c/o Best Brands Sales Company LLC, New York, NY 10001, RN #22195-Made in China0620B |
Source: Valisure FDA Report.
